1921 ~ 2004
SALT LAKE CITY, UT<! >
Dennis Johnson passed away suddenly March 14, 2004 from pulmonary embolisms. He was 82.
Denny was born in Council Bluffs, IA July 26, 1921, the son of Dennis and Helen Foster Johnson. The family moved to Salt Lake City where he attended school, graduating from East High in 1939. He attended the University of Utah where he was in the ROTC. After returning from service with the U.S. Army in Germany and Korea as a Captain, he graduated in 1948 with a degree in Chemistry.
After graduating, Denny went to work for Monsanto Chemical in St. Louis, MO. Later, he was transferred to Texas City, TX where he was Chief Chemist of the Texas City Plant. Transferring into sales, he moved to New York. After 13 years at Monsanto, Denny went to work for Tenneco Plastics, from where he retired in 1983.
Denny met Gloria at a square dance in Hartford, CT in 1954. They were married January 29, 1955 and moved to Whippany, NJ where their two children were born.
While in New Jersey, Denny and Gloria became involved with the Summit Folk Dancers. After moving to Summit, NJ in 1961 he became involved in theatre at The Summit Playhouse. Denny served many positions at The Playhouse, including Technical Director for nearly 20 years.
Denny had a great love of the outdoors and his Wasatch Mountains. He loved hiking, skiing, tennis, fishing, and camping, passing this love on to his children. He was an extraordinary handyman who could fix or build anything and was always helping others. After moving back to Salt Lake City in 1992, he joined the Cottonwood Country Club where he took up golf and continued playing tennis.
Denny is survived by his wife, Gloria; son, Scott (Sara); grandchildren, Christopher, Kellie and Kenneth; daughter, Sharon; sister, Norma Haynes (West Jordan, UT); and brother, Robert (Portola Valley, CA).
All friends are invited to a memorial open house to be held at the Cottonwood Country Club, 1780 E. Lake-wood Dr. (5420 S.) from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, March 22.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family may make donations to the Dennis Johnson Memorial Fund at The Playhouse Association, c/o Nancy Boucher, 16 Old Farm Road, Chatham, NJ 07928. Checks can be made out to The Playhouse Association in Denny's name.